I don’t understand how Larry McCown can say he represents anyone other than the mineral-holding interests of this county, with his comments at the latest commissioners’ meeting. He used an example that he characterized as a “takings,” whereby if the Division of Wildlife were to determine that a critical habitat existed and were going to be destroyed by drilling, the DOW could halt drilling, thereby “taking” the property and its tremendous money-making potential. Does it continue to be more important that a few people become rich than we protect what is left of our wildlife? Hunters and fishermen are businesspeople as well.Larry commented that he needed to know philosophically where these regulations are going. There is no doubt, philosophically, where Larry McCown is going. Is there a job in the gas industry in Mr. McCown’s future?”They” want to allow 120 wells within a five-mile radius. Granted, that’s “only” five pads of 24 wells each. Did I hear that right? Maybe they could cover one of these pads with a bubble and put a gas company executive and a county commissioner or two in there and have them monitor the air and the noise for a day or so.We are sacrificing Western Colorado and everything that lives here to this unbridled, ungodly and ruinous mineral exploitation. Please attend the Colorado Oil and Gas commission meeting from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 3 at the Parachute Community Center.Barb CoddingtonGlenwood Springs

Midland Avenue is being called on to serve two conflicting functions – an alternate route for commuters, and a local residential street. To serve well as a commuter route, the speed limit should be 35 miles per hour. But that would create a serious hazard to residents trying to exit their driveways.One way of addressing both the transportation needs of commuters and the safety concerns of the residents would be to set the speed limit at 35 miles per hour, and put up “Yield” signs ahead of each driveway. This would advise commuter traffic that any time a car is entering Midland Avenue from a driveway, that car has the right-of-way, and the commuter traffic has to travel slowly enough to stop, if necessary, to let cars enter from the driveways; but would allow commuter traffic to flow at 35 mph along those sections where there are no driveways. This would cost just a fraction of the $2 million estimated for constructing the traffic impediments being proposed. Slowing commuter traffic with these impediments is likely to divert traffic back onto Grand Avenue and increase the congestion through Glenwood’s downtown business district, increasing the hazard to pedestrians.Furthermore, if the proposed impediments don’t have the desired effect, it could cost another $2 million to undo them; whereas if the yield signs aren’t effective, it would cost very little to remove them.Hal SundinGlenwood Springs

Hello, Glenwood Springs. I would like to wish a merry Christmas and a happy New Year to my current and past customers. I didn’t make it back this year, but I’ll return in 2008. I missed being in the mall during this holiday season. I know you all missed my beautiful art work. You are all in my prayers and thoughts throughout this holiday season. I truly miss being part of your community.Lisa John, NavajoAneth, Utah